Inner pack assembly machine

ABSTRACT

A method for assembling partition strips slit inwardly from one edge into inner pack assemblies, wherein a group of partition strips adapted to lie parallel and extend in one direction in the pack assembly are gathered in parallel, vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation and at an incline to the horizontal with their edges at the slits spread vertically, and another group of partition strips adapted to lie parallel and extend at an angle to the direction of the first group in the pack assembly are gathered in parallel, vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation and horizontal at a position confronting the first group, and the two groups are brought together in interlocking relation. Machines for carrying out the method are disclosed with magazines for holding supplies of the partition strips of the two groups, and having means to eject strips from the magazines, transport them to the opposed, confronting position, and leave them in the arrangements set out in the method. Additional means moves one group toward the other to assemble the inner pack. Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed, illustrating various arrangements of magazines and various means for operating the gathering mechanisms.

United States Patent McDougal [4 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] INNER PACK ASSEMBLY MACHINE [72] Inventor:

55m, W. Va.

[22] Filed: Oct. 24,1969

[21] Appl.No.: 869,287

[52] US. Cl. ..93/37 R Primary Examiner-Bernard Stickney Attomey-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence Thomas Larry Peisahlis s flies;

[57] ABSTRACT A method for assembling partition strips slit inwardly from one edge into inner pack assemblies, wherein a group of partition strips adapted to lie parallel and extend in one direction in the pack assembly are gathered in parallel, vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation and at an incline to the horizontal with their edges at the slits spread vertically, and another group of partition strips adapted to lie parallel and extend at an angle to the direction of the first group in the pack assembly are gathered in parallel, vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation and horizontal at a position confronting the first group, and the two groups are brought together in interlocking relation. Machines for carrying out the method are disclosed with magazines for holding supplies of the partition strips of the two groups, and having means to eject strips from the magazines, transport them to the opposed, confronting position, and leave them in the arrangements set out in the method. Additional means moves one group toward the other to assemble the inner pack. Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed, illustrating various arrangements of magazines and various means for operating the gathering mechanisms.

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1. A method for assembling partition strips, slit inwardly at predetermined intervals along one edge forming a plurality of flaps, into interfitting angular relation to form inner packs for use in crates, cartons and the like comprising the steps of, gathering partition strips from sources of supply into two groups, arranging the partition strips of a first group in vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation, arranging the partition strips of a second group in vertically spaced, longitudinally staggered relation, moving the two groups of partition strips of the two groups into opposed relation with the slit edges of the partition strips of the two groups in confronting relation and the plane of the partition strips of one group at an angle to the plane of the partition strips of the other group, moving the flaps of the partition strips of one group vertically to diverge the sides of the partition strip slits to form open throats, and moving the groups of partition strips together to cause the partition strips of one group to enter the open throats of the partition strips of the other group to form an assembled inner pack.
 2. A method for assembling partition strips to form inner packs as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the partition strips of the first group are inclined relative to the strips of the second group, the flaps of the first group are moved vertically and the partition strips of the second group are moved into the open throats of the partition strips of the first group.
 3. A machine for assembling partition strips, slit inwardly at predetermined intervals along one edge forming a plurality of flaps into interfitting angular relation to form inner packs for use in crates, cartons and the like comprising, a frame, a table on the frame, means on the table to hold a supply of first partition strips, means on the table to hold a supply of second partition strips, means to gather a group of first partition strips from the supply and position them in vertically spaced, parallel, longitudinally staggered relation at an assembly position on the table, means to gather a group of second partition strips from the supply and position them in vertically spaced, parallel, longitudinally staggered relation at a position opposed to the assembly position, with the slit edges of the partition strips confronting relation and the partition strips of one group at an angle to the partition strips of the other group, and means to move the groups of partition strips together and interengage the slits of the partition strips of one group with the slits of the partition strips of the other group to assemble an inner pack.
 4. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 3 wherein, there are means to engage the flaps of the partition strips of one of the gathered groups and vertically separate the flaps as the partition strips of that group are moved from the means to hold a supply to the assembly position, and means at the assembly position to hold the flaps in vertically separated position during the insertion of the partition strips of the other group to form the inner pack.
 5. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 4 wherein, there is means to discharge the assembled inner pack from the machine.
 6. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the means on the table to hold a supply of first partition strips is a magazine, guides in the magazine along one wall having vertical legs and horizontal legs, the guides being equal in number to the number of slits in the first partition strips and having guide flanges projecting inwardly of the magazine to enter the slits in the first partition strips in the magazine to align the first partition strip in the magazine, the horizontal legs being vertically spaced to provide guide channels between them, the horizontal legs and the vertical legs joining to form ledges upon which the slit edges of the bottom one of the first partition strips may rest, the ledges being in inclined continuation of one another to hold the bottom first partition strip at an angle to the horizontal, and the means to gather a group of first partition strips engages the bottom first partition strip at the low end of the partition strip and pushes the partition strip lengthwise from the magazine, whereby the slits of the partition strip will separate vertically and the flaps of the slit edge will move in separate channels formed by the horizontal guide legs to position the flaps in vertically spaced relation as the partition strips move from engagemEnt with the vertical legs the guides.
 7. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the magazine is adjustable widthwise to accommodate partition strips of different depth, and the guides are movable longitudinally of the magazine to accommodate partition strips of different length.
 8. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the means to gather a group of first partition strips includes a gathering bar having a path of movement beneath the magazine and to the assembly position, a plurality of lugs in the gathering bar in predetermined spaced relation to engage and pick up successive bottom first partition strips as the gathering bar moves beneath the magazine and carry them in parallel, spaced, angular position to the assembly position, and means to move the gathering bar from the magazine to the assembly position and return.
 9. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the means to move the groups of partition strips together includes inserter blades to engage the respective vertically spaced second partition strips of the gathered group, and means to move the inserter blades transversely of the table.
 10. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the table has a plurality of vertically spaced bedplates forming a plurality of horizontal passages between them, the means to gather a group of second partition strips includes means to position a second partition strip in each of said passages and move the second partition strips longitudinally of the machine through the passages to the position opposed to the assembly position, and the means to move the groups of partition strips together includes inserter blades movable transversely of the machine through the passages, and means to move the inserter blades.
 11. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the table has a plurality of vertically spaced bedplates forming a plurality of horizontal passages between them, the means to gather a group of second partition strips includes means to position a second partition strip in each of said passages and move the second partition strips longitudinally of the machine through the passages to the position opposed to the assembly position, and the means to move the groups of partition strips together includes inserter blades movable transversely of the machine through the passages, and means to move the inserter blades.
 12. A machine for assembling inner packs as claimed in claim 11 wherein, the edges of the table bedplates adjacent the assembly position have horizontal ledges in continuation of the horizontal legs of the guides along which the flaps of the first partition strips ride to maintain the flaps in vertically spaced relation with each slit of the first partition strips spanning a passage between the table bedplates.
 13. A machine for assembling partition strips, slit inwardly at predetermined intervals along one edge forming a plurality of flaps, into interfitting angular relation to form inner packs for use in crates, cartons and the like comprising, a frame, a table on the frame having a plurality of vertically spaced bedplates providing horizontal passages between the bedplates, a magazine for a supply of first partition strips, a gathering bar having a path of movement beneath the magazine in a direction longitudinally of the table and the magazine and to an assembly position on the table, means to move the gathering bar from the magazine to the assembly position and return, pickup lugs spaced along the gathering bar equal in number to a predetermined number of first partition strips to form a first group, means in the magazine and on the table to position strips gathered from the magazine at an angle to the horizontal, whereby first partition strips delivered by the gathering bar at the assembly position will form a first group with the first partition strips in vertically spaced, angular position, a source of supply of sEcond partition strips on the table, means to gather second partition strips from the source of supply and move them to a position opposed to the assembly position in a second group of horizontal, vertically spaced partitions, and means to move the second group of partition strips into the first group of partition strips to assemble an inner pack.
 14. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the magazine has means to lift all first partition strips in the magazine above the bottom one to free the bottom one for pick up by the lugs of the gathering bar, and means on the gathering bar to operate the lift means prior to contact of each lug of the gathering bar with the bottom first partition strip in the magazine and maintain the lift means operative during ejection movement of the bottom fist partition strip from the magazine.
 15. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 14 wherein, the means on the gathering bar to operate the lift means are cams, and the lift means includes an operating member having a position on the path of movement of the cams.
 16. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 15 wherein, there are means carried by the gathering bar to position the lift means operating member in the path of movement of the cams at the end of a return stroke of the gathering bar and to position the operating member out of the path of movement of the cams at the end of a gathering stroke of the gathering bar.
 17. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the magazine has a supporting ledge along one side for the bottom first partition strip in the magazine, strip guides mounted on the opposite side of the magazine having portions to support the opposite side of the bottom first partition strip, and means to move the bottom first partition strip transversely toward the guides to free the strip of the support ledge.
 18. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 17 wherein, the means to move the bottom first strip transversely has an operating member, and there are means on the gathering bar to the operating member prior to contact of each lug of the gathering bar with the bottom first partition strip.
 19. Amachine for assembling partittion strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the means on the gathering bar to operate the means to mprivide first partition strip transversely are cams, and the operating mmeber has a position in the path of movement of the cams.
 20. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 19 wherein, there are means carried by the gathering bar to position the operating member in the path of movement of the cams at the end of a return stroke of the gathering bar and to position the operating member out of the path of movement of the cams at the end of a gathering stroke of the gathering bar.
 21. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, there are means to discharge assembled packs from the machine.
 22. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the gathering bar carries an inner-pack-ejecting means to contact and move an assembled inner pack from the assembly position as the gathering bar makes a gathering stroke.
 23. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, there is a retaining plate at the assembly position for contact with the edges of first partition strips at the assembly position to hold the first partition strips into engagement with means on the table to hold the first partition strips at an angle to the horizontal, and means to retract the retaining plate.
 24. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 23 wherein, the means to retract the retaining plate includes a retaining plate-pOsitioning lever, and means carried by the means to move the second group of partition strips into the first group of partition strips to strike and operate the retaining plate-positioning lever.
 25. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 24 wherein, there are means resiliently biasing the retaining plate to strip-retaining position.
 26. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the source of supply of second partition strips is a second magazine, means to eject second partition strips singly from the second magazine, and the means to gather and position a second group of partition strips includes means to arrange the ejected second partition strips in vertically spaced relation at the respective horizontal planes of the passages between the table bedplates and the means to move the arranged second partition strips to the position opposed to the assembly position.
 27. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 26 wherein, the means to arrange the ejected second partition strips is an elevator located adjacent the second magazine and having shelves vertically spaced in the same order as the table bedplates, means to move the elevator vertically a distance of one shelf after each ejection stroke of the means to eject second partition strips from the second magazine and to position the elevator with its shelves in the planes of the table bedplates following a predetermined number of second partition strips having been received in the elevator.
 28. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 27 wherein, the means to move the arranged second partition strips to the position opposed to the assembly position includes a plurality of pusher arms staggered longitudinally of the machine and mounted for movement through the elevator shelves and into the passages between the table bed plates, and means to move the pusher arms when the elevator shelves are aligned with the table passages.
 29. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the source of supply of second partition strips is a plurality os second magazines mounted on the table with each second magazine having an outlet for second partition strips aligned with a passage in the table, and the means to gather and move the second partition strips to the position opposed to the assembly position including means to eject second partition strips from the second magazine into the table passages and move them to the opposed position.
 30. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 29 wherein, the means to eject and move second partition strips includes an escapement mechanism at each second magazine having an arm movable in the plane of the bottom second partition strip in the second magazine, and means to oscillate the arm to eject bottom second partition strips at least part way from the second magazine in a direction toward the opposed position, and means to engage the partially ejected second partition strips and move them to the opposed position.
 31. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 30 wherein, the means to engage the partially ejected second partition strips includes a friction wheel and means to drive the friction wheel.
 32. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 31 wherein, the friction wheel is spaced from the horizontal path of movement of the ejected second partition strip, and there are means to press second partition strips into engagement with the friction wheel.
 33. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 32 wherein, there are means to disengage the means to press second partition strips into engagement with the friction wheel after a predetermined operation of the friction wheel to prevent friction wheel contact with second partition strips which are stationary.
 34. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 33 wherein, the second magazines are in longitudinal alignment with one another and with the opposed position of the second group of partition strips.
 35. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, the source of supply of second partition strips is a plurality of second magazines including a center magazine and end magazines on each side of the center magazine, and the means to gather second partition strips and move them to the position opposed to the assembly partition includes means to eject bottom second partition strips from the end magazine and move them to positions beneath the center magazines.
 36. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 35 wherein, the center magazine has an outlet for second partition strips on the plane of the uppermost passage between the table bedplates, and the end magazines have partition strip outlets on the respective planes of the next subjacent passages.
 37. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 36 wherein, the means to move the second group of partition strips into the first group of partition strips includes inserter blades respectively movable in the planes of the gathered second partition strips beneath the center magazine and the plane of the bottom second partition strip in the center magazine.
 38. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, there are means to adjust the machine to accommodate partition strips of different size.
 39. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, there are means to adjust the machine to gather first and second groups of partition strips of different number.
 40. A machine for assembling partition strips into inner packs as claimed in claim 13 wherein, there are means to operate the means to move the gathering bar, the means to gather second partition strips and move them to the opposed position, and the means to move the second group of partition strips into the first group, and means to stop the operation of said means at the end of a cycle of operation of each respective means in the event of mispositioning of any partition strip. 